Automatic coupling.



i1. 0. NEWMAN. AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JANJ, 1911 L ML n L m E w mi. H m a P r a H y 8 WITNESSES ATTORNEYS v H. 0. NEWMAN. AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 7, 1911.

1 009554 Patented N0v.21, 1911.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2/ INVENTOR F5 l 736 34 32 I HARRY C. NEWMAN, OF

NITED STATES PA'r-ENT OFFICE.

PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO NEYVMAN AIR COUPLER FOMPAN'Y. OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, "HARRY C. NEWMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved AutomaticCoupler, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates td automatic couplers for the tra npipes of air-brake systems, signal pipes, and steam pipes of railroad trains, and has reference more particularly to a device of this class, comprising heads adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition to effect the operative connection of the pipes which are associated with the heads, one of the pipes associated with each head forming a supporting means therefor,

.pler will not afi'ect the operation .of the valves, in which the washers rendering tight the connections between the pipe sections can be easily changed or replaced, in which the valves are automatically closed when. the coupler parts are disengaged and are automatically opened. when the coupler parts are brought into juxtaposition, and in which the valves are left-open when the car coupling is accidentally broken, in order toset the brakes of the cars.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a. part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation ofan embodiment of my invention showing certain of the parts broken away and in cross section;

.Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 7, 1911.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911. Serial No. 601,257.

22 of Fig. 1, showing certain of the automatic coupler parts in plan; Fig. 3 is a front end view of the coupler, showing the same associated with a car coupler, parts of the latter being broken away and in cross section; Fig. 4 is a rear end elevation of one of the coupler members; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing two of the coupler parts in juxtaposition; Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of part ofa car coupler showing a safety device associated therewith and used in connection with my automatic coupler; Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-section showing part of a coupler head, and illustrating the-means for permitting the removal of a washer or gasket; Fig. 8 is an inverted plan view showing a detail of construction; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of my invention, it should be clearly understood that the present form of the device constitutes an improvement upon the coupler shown in my United States patent application filed June 4, 1910, under Serial No. 564,988. While my coupler can 1 be so constructed that any one of the pipes can be used as the supporting, means for each coupler part, I prefer to employ the steam pipe which supplies steam from the engine to the various cars, for heating purposes and the like. This pipe carries the head of each coupler unit, and is suitably guided in hangers or brackets associated with the corresponding part of the car cou- .pler. The steam pipe is preferably located in an insulating casing of any suitable form.

However, these and others of the details of constructionfshown for example herewith, "form no part of the invention, and can be varied'in accordance with individual preference" and special conditions, without departing from the underlying spirit of the invention.

"Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown for example, one'memher lOof a car coupler of the usual construction,

comprising a draw-bar having a head 11 upon the head 11, and is pivotally connected by means of a pin 17 with the eccentric disk. The stop has a slot 15* which receives the end of the stud 16. It also has at the free end a laterally disposed finger 18, and constitutes a safety device for apurpose which will appear hereinafter. Hangers or brackets 19, having at the upper ends laterally disposed parts 20, are secured by means of bolts 21, or in any other suitable manner, under the coupler 1 they are tightly connected at their l-zavcr ends by means of a bolt rod 22. Each hanger has an opening 23 in which is located a cylindrical casing 24. The latter preferably has an insulating lining 25 within which located a steam pipe 26.

The casing 24 and the steam pipe 26 are movable relatively to the brackets 19. At each end of the casing is a head 27, through which the corresponding end of the steam' pipe section 26 projects. One end of the steam pipe section has secured thereto an elbow 28, and the other has associated therewith a valve 29 which communicates with the main section 30 of the steam pipe. The valve has an operating arm 31. A link 32 is pivotally secured by means of a pin 33, atone end, to the forward bracket 19. The link at the opposite end has an enlargement 34, provided with a slot 35, which receives a stud or projection 36 mounted upon the end of the valve arm 31. The projection has a laterally extended head, so that it cannot become disengaged from the slotand the enlarged head 34 of the link.

A collar 37 is rigidly secured by means of set-screws 38 or in any other suitable manner, upon the casing 24. A helical spring 39 is movably arranged upon the cats ing, and at one end engages the collar 37, and at the other end engages the rear bracket 19. The spring tends to hold the coupler element in a normal, projected position, such that the valve 29 is open. Secured in openings of the rear bracket 19, are valves 40 and 41 having respectively, operating arms 42 and 43. These are operatively connected by means of links 44 and 45, with the collar 38, the links being piv- Votally secured thereto at the ends, by means of pins 46. The links 42 and 43 have enlarged, slotted ends 47, b means of which they are loosely connected with the res ective valve arms, as is the case with the ink 32 and the valve arm 31. The valves '40 and 41, respectively, control the air. brake train pipe 48 and the signal pipe 49. The valves are connected by means of couplings 50, with the flexible pipe sections 51.

The elbow 28 is connected by means of a coupling 52. with the coupler head 53. Each head comprises a tapered socket 54 and a tapered nose 55, having at the end a reduced, pointed part 56 adapted to fit into a corresponding end opening 57 of a socket 54. It will be understood that the heads are similar, so that as the nose of each head rides into the socket of the other head, the two parts are guided into juxtaposition, to effect the coupling. Each head has three passages 59 therein, respectively, for the air, I

the steam, and the signal system. Each head has a pair of inlet couplings 58, at which are secured the ends of the flexible pipe sections 51, which connect the heads and the air and. signal pipes. The steam passage of the head is connected with the steam pipe, through the coupling 52 and the elbow 28. The passages 59 of the head have outlets 60 at the face thereof adjacent to the opening of the socket 54. Each outlet is provided with a rubber or other suitable gasket 61. These gaskets are of annular form, and each has a laterally extended flange 62 which engages at a corresponding, inwardly disposed flange 63 at the outlet 60, so that the gasket is secured in place. The head has a plurality of bores or openings 64 which intersect the passages 59, and in which are removably received plugs 65, each having a right-angle passage 66 communicating with one of the passages 59 and an outlet 60. The plugs have threaded parts 67 which are received in corresponding, threaded portions 68 of the openings 64. Each plug has a head 69 permitting its manipulation by means of a wrench or other suitable implement. Gaskets or washers 70 are received in annular enlargements 71 of the openings 64.

With each coupler element or unit I employ a comparatively stiti', but tairly resilient rod or bar 72, having at one end an offset part which is secured in a recess or opening of the head by means of a set-screw 73. The rod is located in suitable openings of the brackets 19, and serves to support the head, to hold the same in position and prevent it from sagging or suiuging'unduly. \Vhen the heads of the coupler units or elements are in juxtaposition, lhetapered parts 55 are in place within the sockets. and cause the heads to press against each other, so that the gaskets at the outlets of the passages are in juxtaposition. In this way the passages are couneettul, and the joining of the outlets is a tight one. whereby the escape of steam. or air. or other fluid under pressure is obviated. \Vhen the coupler parts are brought together, the coupler elements are forced rcarwardly, against the tension of the springs 39. as it will be remembered, they are normally projected, that is, they are projected when not engaged. The movement of the coupler elements opens the various valves, so that the fluids under pressure can flow through the pipes and the couplers. When the parts are uncoupled, the various valves are correspondingly closed.

Upon the elbows 28 are ribbed, upwardly disposed projections 74, each adapt-ed to engage the loosely disposed end 18 of a stop 15 when the same is forced into its path. Should the train coupler become broken accidentally, the tearing loose of the jaw 13 will tend to force'the stop into the path of the projection 74, so that as the coupler elements are disengaged, the projections will abut against the stops and prevent the springs 39 from projecting the coupler elements.' Consequently, the valves will all remain open and the brakes will atonce be set, to bring the separated cars or parts of a train to a stop, automatically.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new. and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A device of the class described. comprising a pair of coupler elements having heads adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition, and each including a pipe section in communicatimi with itshead,nieans torslidably supporting said heads by means ot said pipe section. additional pipe sections communicating with said heads of-said elements. said heads having passages therein adapted to connnunicate when said heads are in juxtaposition. said pipe sections having valves. aml means for controlling said valves by the movements of said elements.

2. A device of the class described. comprising a pair of coupler elements having heads adapted to bearranged in juxtaposition. and each including a straight pipe. section in commnnicativlliwith its head. means For movably supporting said pipe sections whereby they can slide in the directions of their lengths to support said elements movably. additional pipe sections communicating with said heads of said elements, said heads having passages therein-,Qadapted to communicate when said heads are in juxtaposition. said pipe sections having valves, means l'or controlling said valves by the movements of said elements, and springs normally projecting said elements into positions such that said valves are closed.

3. device oi the class described, comprising a pair of coupler elements, pipes associated therewith and adapted to communicate when said elements are in juxtaposition. means for supporting said pipes whereby said elements have. limited freedom ol movement in longitudinal directions. valves controlling said pipes, means whereby said valves are closed when said elements are disconm-cted. and springs normally projecting said elements into posilions such that said valves are closed when said elements a disconnected.

4. A device a. the class described, comprising a pair of coupler elements, pipes ns'-'o('inle(l therewith and adapted tocom manic-ate. through said elements when the latter are in juxtaposition, means for slidably mounting said pipes in position to sun port said elements movably each of said elements having a head provided with a socket and a tapered part adapted to receive said socket. o said other element, valves controlling said pipes, an operative connection between each of said valves and one of said elements, whereby when said elements are in predetermined positions said valves are closed, and springs tending to hold said elements in positions such that said valves are closed, whereby when said elements are brought into juxtaposition, said springs are compressed, to permit said valves to be opened.

A device of the class described, com prising a pair of movably mounted coupler elements, pipes associated therewith and adapted to communicate when said elements are in juxtaposition and each having a valve, and operative connections between said valves and said elements, said connections permitting a limited freedom of movement of said elements when operating said valves.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of movably mounted coupler elements, pipes associated therewith, means whereby said pipes con'imnnicate when said coupler elements are in juxtaposition,valves controlling said pipes, and links operativcly connecting said valves and said elements,

whereby the latter serve to ope ate said valves, said links being loosely connected with said valves, whereby said elements have a limited freedom of movement without operating said valves.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of movably mounted coupler elements. pipes associated therewith, means whereby saul pipes communicate when said coupler elements are in juxtaposition, valves to operate said valves, each of said links having a slot movably receiving one of said studs.

8. A device. oi the class described, comprising a pair of movably mounted coupler elements having heads adapted to communicate when said elements are in juxtaposilion. pipes having flexible connections with said elements and rigidly mounted, further pipes connuunicating with said elements and movable therewith, said pipes having controlling valves. operative connections between said valves of said first-mentioned pipes and said elements. and operative. connet-lions bet ween said valves of said further pipes and fixed points. whereby the movements of said lastn'ientioned valves serve to operate the same.

IQO

9. The combination, with a car coupler, of a train pipe coupler having a valve controlling the How of fiuid through said train pipe coupler, and a spring tending to projeet said train pipe coupler into position such that said valve is closed, said car coupler having a safety device including a stop, adapted to hold said train pipe coupler in position against the tension of said ter is in an operative position, to hold said train pipe coupler in place against the tens1on of said sprln whereby said valve is maintained open 1 sa1d car coupler is acc1- 10 spring, whereby said valve is maintained dentally released.

open if said car coupler is accidentally re- In testimony whereof I have signed my leased. name to this specificationin the presence of 30 110. The coinbiifition, witlli a carfcoplplgr two subscribing witnesses. inc udingamova ejaw, an a in or o v T 15 ing said jaw in place, of a traih pipe cou- HARRY LEWMAN' pler having a valve controlling the flow of Witnesses: fluid through said train pipe coupler, and R. CRAVAT a spring tending to project said train pipe Tnos. J. JJOHNSTON. 

